Method of and means for shaping the bottoms of shoes



Jan. 4, 1938. E. E. WINKLEY 43 METHOD OF AND MEANS FOR SHAPING THE BOTTOMS OF SHOES Filed Sept. 25, 1935 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Jan. 4, 1938. wlNKLEY 2,104,143

METHOD OF AND MEANS FOR SHAPING THE BOTTOMS OF SHOES Filed Sept 25, 1935 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 llllllllllll q Patented Jan. 4, 1 938 PATENT OFFICE METHOD OF AND MEANS FOR SHAPING THE BOTTOMS OF SHOES Erastus E. Winkley, Lynn, Mass, assignor to United Shoe Machinery Corporation, Paterson, N. J., a corporation of New Jersey Application September 25, 1935, Serial No. 42,071

34 Claims.

This invention relates to the shaping of the bottoms of shoes and is illustrated herein in its application to the shaping or leveling of the bottoms of shoes of the type in which the outsoles are secured to the uppers and insoles by stitches passing through both the outsoles and insoles, such as Littleway shoes, although it will be understood that the invention, in its more general aspects, is not thus limited in utility but 10. is applicable to the manufacture of shoes of various kinds.

In the manufacture of some kinds of shoes, especially womens shoesof the lighter grades, there frequently develop undesired irregularities in the bottoms of the shoes, such as bunches, which are sometimes caused by-the unevenness of shoe materials located betweenthe outsoles and the insoles, or ridges which are frequently caused by the stitches which unite the outsoles and insoles in shoes that are stitched through and through. It is highly desirable and important that these irregularities be entirely removed in the final shaping or leveling of the shoe bottoms in order that the shoes will be in the best possible condition for succeeding bottom-finishing operations.

The present invention, in one important aspect, provides a novel method whereby the desired shaping or leveling of the sole is effected by the use of a roll and a form of preferably rigid material loosely interposed between the roll and the bottom of the shoe for transmitting the pressure of. the roll progressively to different portions of the forepart and shank of the sole successively.

0 As herein illustrated, the form is arranged to extend lengthwise of the shoe from its toe to its heel end and has a sole-pressing face portion which opposite the forepart and shank portions of the shoe bottom is so shaped as to engage different portions of the forepart and shank of the sole successively, but to engage the sole at any one time over a comparatively large area so as to minimize any tendency of. the form to follow small irregularities in the sole. The form thus engages the sole over a larger area than would the roll if the latter were in contact with the shoe. The form herein shown is so shaped and so mounted independently of the roll as to permit it to be rocked both lengthwise andlaterally of the shoe to apply the pressure of the roll progressively to the shoe along the opposite sides of the shoe bottom. In order to shape properly the extreme toe end portion of the sole and also the shank portion just rearwardly of the ball line, it is contemplated that relative movements ofthe shoe will preferably be effected to concentrate the pressure of the roll on these different portions at times in the leveling operation. By the use of this method there mayadvantageously be utilized machines of the type used heretofore to apply rolling. pressure automatically for leveling the bottoms of shoes, the rigid form being adapted to concentrate the pressure of the roll successively upon the different portions of the sole acted upon to level it.

In a further important aspect, the invention provides novel means for carrying out the abovementioned method, including a form of rigid material of the required shape through which the pressure of. the leveling roll is transmitted progressively to different portions of the sole successively to press and smooth out any of the small irregularities that may exist in the sole. Preferably the sole-pressing face of the forepart portion of the form is convexly curved in directions lengthwise and laterally of the shoe, these curvatures being comparatively wide, with the marginal portion of the sole-pressing face, however, concaved. Lengthwise of the shoe the curvature of the sole-pressing face of the shank portion of the form is somewhat greater than the curvature in this direction of the shank portion of the shoe bottom, and laterally of the shoe the sole-pressing face of the shank portion is preferably concave, approximating the desired lateral contour of the shank portion of a shoe, the curvatures in this direction of the shank portion of the form, however, being preferably somewhat less than the curvatures of the rounded shank portion of the shoe bottom.

In another aspect the invention provides a novel organization whereby the use of a form such, for example, as above described for applying the pressure of a leveling roll progressively to different portions of a shoe sole successively is greatly facilitated. As herein illustrated the form is mounted, for movements into and out of operative position over the bottom of a shoe, on a shoe-supporting jack comprising a toe post and a heel post which is adjustable toward or from. thetoe post to position corresponding portions of shoes of different sizes insubstantially the same relation to a leveling roll. The form isoonnected to the jack for bodily movements in directions lengthwise of the shoe and also for tipping movements lengthwise of the shoe and laterally of the shoe in response to the action of the roll there. on. In order that the form will be positioned lengthwise of the shoe in substantially the same ferent sizes there are provided, as herein shown, connections for efiecting a simultaneous adjustment of the form lengthwise of the shoe in the same direction as the heel post, these'connections preferably being adjustable to vary the extent of movement imparted to the form' during the adjustment of the heel post as may be necessary in operating upon shoes of different styles.

The invention will now be more particularly described by reference to the accompanying drawings and thereafter pointed out in the claims.

In the drawings,

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a portion of a shoe-supporting jack of a machine of the roll type adapted for use to carry out the objects of this invention, a form for transmitting the pressure; of the leveling roll to a shoe being shown in operative position over the bottom of a shoe mounted on the jack;

Figs. 2, 3, and 4 are longitudinal sectional views illustrating the relative positions of the form and the leveling roll in applying the leveling pressure progressively to different portions of the forepart and shank of the shoe bottom; and

Figs. 5 and 6 are cross-sectional views further illustrating the shaping of the forepart and shank portions of the shoe sole. 7

Since the invention, in its machine aspects, is illustrated as applied to a leveling machine of a well-known type, only such parts of the machine as it is necessary to refer to for an understand ing of the invention are shown and will be de scribed in detail. Features of the general organization of machines of this type are disclosed in various prior United States Letters Patent including Letters Patent No. 1,667,761, granted May 1, 1928, upon an application of E. E. Winkley and H. A. Davenport, and also others hereinafter referred to. It will be understood that the machine is provided with a shoe support or jack which, in the power operation of the machine is moved in directions lengthwise of the shoe tocarry the shoe under a spring-pressed roll 10 which operates progressively along the bottom of the shoe and to which tipping movements laterally of the shoe are imparted automatically as the roll operates upon different portions of the shoe bottom to impart the desired transverse curvature to the shoe sole, means being provided,

not herein shown, for adjusting the relative'lat-' eral inclination of the roll and jack as the different portions of the sole are acted upon successively by the roll. The jack comprises a toe post l2 and a heel post M which are pivoted together for relative adjustment for shoes of different sizes by means of a threaded adjusting screw I8 which moves the heel post toward or from the toe post so that the toe ends of shoes of different sizes will be presented in substantially the same relation to the roll II]. On. the heel post hi there is pivotally mounted for tipping movements about an axis extending widthwise of the shoe, a tipped block 22 which has fast thereon a spindle 24 arranged to enter the spindle hole in the last. After the last has been mounted on the spindle 24 tipping movement is imparted to the block to cause the spindle to tip the last and thereby to press the forepart of the shoe firmly down upon a toe rest comprising a soft rubber pad 26 mounted on the toe post [2. The block 22 is. thus moved by downward movement of a forked hand-lever 28 fulcrumed at 30 on the toe post and a link 32 relation to corresponding portions of shoes of dif-' through connections more fully shown and described in Letters Patent No. 1,719,158 granted on July 2, 1929, upon an application of H. A. Davenport and myself, the hand-lever 28 being locked in any desired position by means of a segment 34. The jack is operatively movable about the axis of a shaft 36 on which the toe post is mounted and power-operated means, not herein shown, is provided for imparting to the jack oscillatory movements about this axis to carry the shoe rearwardly and forwardly under the leveling roll, including connections which are adjustable in response to the movement of the heel post toward or from the toe post to vary the extent of travel imparted to the jack in accordance with the size of the shoe which is being operated upon. In these respects the construction shown is similar to that disclosed in United States Letters Patent No. 1,239,634, granted September 11, 1917 upon an application of W. C. Baxter.

In the operation of shaping or leveling the bottoms of shoes it is desirable that all of the small irregularities which may exist in the sole, such as bunches which are frequently caused by the unevenness of the shoe materials between the outsole and the insole, or ridges which may be caused by the stitching which unites the outsole to the upper and insole in shoes which are stitched through and through, be effectively removed so as to produce an even and regular bottom surface. In accordance with this invention, in one of its aspects, this result is obtained by the use of a roll and a rigid form which; as herein illustrated, is adapted to cover the bottom of the shoe and to transmit the pressure of the roll progressively to different portions of the forepart and shank of the sole successively to press and smooth out any of the small irregularities that may exist in the sole. To this end there is provided a form 38 of metal, preferably brass, which is so shaped as to engage successively different portions of the forepart and shank of the sole and to concentrate the pressure of the roll on each portion of the sole acted upon.

The form 38 has the sole-pressing face of its forepart portion convexly curved in directions lengthwise and laterally of the form, these curvatures being as little pronounced, that is, as wide as it is practical to make them, so as to minimize any tendency for the form to follow small irregularities in the bottom of the sole, with the marginal portion of the sole-pressing face, however, concaved. The curvature lengthwise of the shoe of the sole-pressing face of the shank portion of the form is somewhat greater than the curvature in this'direction of the shank portion of the shoe, and laterally of the shoe the sole-pressing face of the shank portion is preferably concave, approximating the desired lateral contour of the shank portion of a shoe bottom, the curvatures in this direction of the shank portion of the form, however, being preferably somewhat less than the curvatures of the rounded shank portion of the shoe bottom. It will thus be seen that the form is adapted to act substantially with a rolling pressure on different portions of the forepart and shank of the shoe sole successively and that by reason of its transverse curvature it may tip laterally of the shoe with the leveling roll while applying the pressure of the roll to different portions of the forepart and shank of the sole successively along the opposite sides of the shoe bottom.

The form above described is connected to the shoe-supporting jack for movements into and out of position over the shoe bottom. As shown in Fig. 1, the form is pivotally connected at 4B beyond the toe end of the shoe to a block 42 which is connected bya. link 44 to a second block 46 which is mounted to turn about an axis extending lengthwise of the shoe in a block 48. The block 48 is pivotally connected at 5B for swinging movements about an axis extending laterally of the shoe to the upper end of an arm 52 which is pivotally connected also for swinging movements about an axis extending laterally of the shoe to a fixed arm 54 on the toe post I2. The rear end of the form extends beyond the heel end of the shoe, when the form is in position over the shoe bottom, and is located laterally of the shoe by a block 56 having angularly shaped arms 58 arranged to engage the shoe at the opposite sides of its heel end, and an upwardly projecting pin 66 extending loosely through a central slot 62 in the form. The block 56 is slidingly mounted for movements in directions laterally of the shoe on a pin 64 carried by the upwardly extending arms 66 of a lever 68 pivoted at III on the heel post I4. A spring-pressed plunger 72 slidingly mounted in an angularly disposed boss I4 on the lever 68 and engaging the. heel post I4 tends to swing the lever 68 in a direction to press the block 58 against the shoe. It will be readily seen that the above construction is such that the form is loosely mounted on the shoe-supporting jack so that as oscillatory movements about the axis 36 are imparted tothe jack to carry the form and shoe rearwardlyand forwardly beneath the roll I!) the formis free'to rock lengthwise of" the shoe and also to tip laterally of the shoe to: apply the pressure of the roll to different portions of the forepart and shank successively.

Initially the form 38 is located lengthwise of the shoe with its ball line in registration with the ball line of the shoe, and in order that the toe-end portion of the form which is shaped to engage the extreme toe end of the sole will engage that portion of the sole when the pressure is first transmittted through. the form to the sole by the roll III, whatever may be the size of the shoe, the roll-engaging face of the form is provided at the toe end with an abutment I5 having an upwardly and forwardly inclined face I6 which is arranged to be engaged first by the roll I Il as the shoe and form are swung rearwardly by the shoe-supporting jack. As the shoe and jack continue to swing rearwardly the shoe is moved relatively to the form to cause the marginal portion of the sole at the toe end to be bent toward the upper by the action of the form thereon; as shown in Fig. 2. This is due to the fact that the roll tends to retard the movement of the form, as permitted by connections to the form hereinafter described. Thereafter, as the roll engages the downwardly curved shank portion of the form, the form is moved lengthwise relatively to the shoe into engagement with the downwardly sloping portion of the shoe bottom just rearwardly of the ballline for properly shaping this portion of the shoe bottom.

In order that the form 38 may be positioned in substantially the same relation to shoes of different sizes, mechanism; is provided for adjusting the form as the heel post is adjusted for different sizes.- As shown in Fig. 1,. there is fast to the heel post I4 an arm 18' connected by a link 80 to an arm 82 pivotally connected to the toe post I2. Pivotally c'onneetedto the arm 82 is a yoke member? 84 provided with an upwardly extending shank portion 86 upon which there is slidinglyi mounted a bossv 88 having an upwardly extending arm 9|] to which there is pivotaliy connected an. arm 92 fast to the arm 52. Surrounding the shank portion 86 of the yoke member 84 are equal springs 64 and 66, the" spring 94 engaging. at its lower end a shoulder 98 on the yoke member 84 and at its upper end the lower end face of the boss 68 and the spring 96 engaging. at its lower end the upper end face of the boss 88 and at its upper end a collar Illil adjustably secured to the shank 86, the construction being such that as the heel post is adjusted towardv or from the toe post by the spindle I8 the form 38 also receives a bodily movement in the same direction but of less extent. This insures that the form will be positioned in substantially the same relation to the ball portions of shoes of different sizes. It will be understood that the springs 64, 96 act substantially as solid members through which the form is thus adjusted and that they are yieldable to permit relative movement of the form and shoe in directions lengthwise of the shoe response to the action of the roll ID onthe form as above described. For varying the extent of movement imparted to the form in response to the movement of the heel post toward or from the toe post, asmay be necessary in operating on shoes of different styles, the arm 92 has formed therein a lengthwise slot m2 through which extends the shank portion of a stud I84 that serves pivotally to connect the arm 92 to the upper end of the arm 90. The stud has formed thereon a collar I86 between which and a washer and a nut I68 threaded on one end portion of the stud there is clamped the arm 92. The upper end of the arm 90 is bored to receive the opposite end portion of the stud I 64 which is provided with a hole to receive a cotter pin III] for holding the arm 96 on the stud. It will be seen that after loosening the nut I68 the arm 99 may be moved toward or" from the arm 52 to vary the effective length of the arm 92. Thus as the heel post is adjusted toward or from the toe post the extent of movement imparted to the form may be varied by varying the relative positions of the arms 96 and 52. In order to permit initial adjustment of the form lengthwise of the shoe the arm 92 is adjustably secured to the arm 52 by a binding screw l'I-Z threaded into the arm 52 and extending tlzirough a lengthwise slot I I4 formed in the arm 9 It will be understood that when the jack is in its idle position the hand lever 28 is in its uppermost position in which position it is held by the segment 34. In order to permit the operator readily to mount a shoe on the jack and to remove the shoe therefrom without interference between the shoe and the block 56 there is carried by the hand lever 28 a roll H6 (Fig. 1) which is arranged to engage an inwardly extending arm I I8 on the lever 68. As the hand lever 28' is swung upwardly to unjack the shoe. the roll I I6 acts on the arm II8 to impart to the lever 68 a swinging movement against the resistance of the springpressed plunger 12 in a direction to move the block 56 forwardly into an out-of-the-way position.

In the operation of the machine, briefly summarized, the operator mounts a shoe on the jack when the latter. is-in itsidleposition, having previously by means of the spindle l8 adjusted the heel post and form 38 as required by the size of shoe to be operated upon, and swings the hand lever 28 downwardly to force the shoe against the toe rest 26 and to permit the spring-pressed plunger 12 to swing the lever 68 in a direction to press the block 56 against the shoe. He then swings the form 38 from its idle position rearwardly of the toe end of the shoe forwardly and downwardly into engagement with the shoe bottom, the pin 60 acting to locate the form properly widthwise of the shoe. It will be understood that the hand lever 28 is locked to the segment 34 in the position to which it has been depressed and is utilized to swing the jack about its pivot 36, as heretofore in the operation of machines of this type, until the jack arrives in the position in which it is locked to its automatic operating means. The machine is then started and the jack is swung by power to carry the shoe and form rearwardly and forwardly under the springpressed roll in. Substantially at the beginning of the rearward movement of the jack, in the power operation of the machine, the shoe and form receive a relative movement in a direction lengthwise of the shoe, due to engagement of the roll l0 with the inclined face 16 of the abutment 15, to shape the extreme toe end of the sole. It will be understood that because of the general lengthwise curvature of the sole-pressing face of its forepart portion the form will assume the position shown in Fig. 2 when the roll it) is in engagement with the inclined face 76. In the continued movement of the jack in the same direction the form acts by rolling engagement with the forepart portion of the shoe sole to apply the pressure of the roll progressively to different portions of the sole successively from the toe end to the ball line. As the roll passes from the forepart to the shank portion of the form, the form is moved lengthwise of the shoe toward its toe end until its downwardly curved shank portion engages the downwardly sloping shank portion of the shoe just rearwardly of the ball line thus pressing this portion of the shoe bottom firmly against the last, after which, as the roll traverses the shank portion of the form, the pressure of the roll is applied progressively to different portions of the shank successively by the rolling of the shank portion of the form thereon.

When the jack arrives at a limit of its first swinging movement it usually then receives a plurality of backward and forward movements while the roll is tipped to operate on the shank at one side of the shoe bottom, then a movement to cause the roll to return to the toe along one side of the shoe and then to operate along the shoe bottom from the toe to the heel seat along the opposite side of the shoe, thereafter a plurality of backward'and forward movements to cause the roll to operate in the shank at that side of the shoe, and finally a movement to cause the roll to return to the toe end of the shoe. It will be understood that as the jack is thus swung relatively to the roll, the shoe and form are moved relatively to each other lengthwise of the shoe in each oscillatory movement of the jack when the roll engages the inclined face 16 of the abutment l5 and when the roll passes from the forepart to the shank portion of the form to shape the extreme toe end portion of the sole and to press the downwardly sloping shank portion of the shoe bottom just rearwardly of the ball line firmly against the last, and that as the roll traverses the forepart and shank portions of the form the pressure of the roll is applied not only progressively to different portions of the forepart and shank successively but is concentrated on each portion acted upon to press and smooth out any of the small irregularities that may exist therein. It will be understood also that the form is free to tip laterally of the-shoe with the roll while applying the pressure of the roll in the manner above described to different portions of the sole at the opposite sides of its forepart and shank portions. The jack is unlocked from its power-operating means as isusual atrthe end of the leveling operation and'is then swung forward by gravity to its idle position. The operator thereafter releases the hand lever 28 from the locking segment 34 and swings the form 38 upwardly and rearwardly to its idle position beyond the toe end of the shoe so that the shoe may be removed from the machine.

While it is considered'that the invention is adapted to be utilized with special advantages in operating upon shoes'having comparatively light outsoles secured by stitches passing through both the outsoles and the insoles, such as Littleway shoes, it is also contemplated that the invention may likewise be used with advantages in the manufacture of other kinds of shoes including welt shoes and also turn shoes.

Having described the invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is:

1. That improvement in methods of shaping or leveling the bottoms of shoes which consists in applying over the bottom of a shoe a form arranged to extend from the toe end to the heel end of the shoe and having a sole-pressing face portions of which opposite the forepart and shank portions of the shoe bottom are curved lengthwise and laterally of the shoe in such manner as to cause it when rocked to engage successively different portions of the forepart and shank of the shoe sole, and applying rolling pressure to said form to'level the forepart and shank portions of the sole.

2. That improvement in methods of shaping or leveling the bottoms of shoes which consists in applying to the bottom of a shoe a form arranged to extend from the toe to the heel end of the shoe and having a portion opposite the shank portion of the shoe bottom curved heightwise of the shoe for engaging the corresponding portion of the sole, said form having a solepressing face so shaped as to act at any one time on a portion only of the shoe bottom but adapted to be tipped relatively to the shoe to apply pressure to different portions of the shoe bottom successively, and applying rolling pressure to said form to pressit onrthe shoe and to tip it relatively to the shoe. V

,3. That improvement in methods of shaping or leveling the bottoms of shoes which consists in applying to the bottom of a shoe a form having a sole-pressing face convex lengthwise and 1aterally of the shoe to permit it to rock relatively to the shoe, andby the action of a roll on said form rocking it lengthwise and laterally of the shoe to press different portions of the bottom of the shoe successively. V

4. That improvement in methods of shaping or leveling the bottoms of shoes which consists in applying over the forepart and shank portions of the bottom of a shoe a form having a solepressing face convex lengthwise and laterally of the shoe opposite the bottom of the forepart and of greater curvature lengthwise of the shoe op- ,form by relative movement of :the

posite the shank portion of the shoe bottom than the correspondingportion of the sole and also concave laterally of the shoe in that location, and by the action of a roll on said form rocking it lengthwise and laterally of the shoe to press different portions of the sole successively.

5. That improvement in methods of shaping or leveling the bottoms of shoes which consists in applying over the forepart and shank portions of the bottom of a shoe a form having a solepressing face convex lengthwise and laterally of the shoe opposite the bottom of the forepart with portions of the sole-pressing face concave in locations opposite the margin of the forepart of the shoe bottom, said sole-pressing face being of greater curvature lengthwise of the shoe opposite the shank, portion of the shoe bottom than the corresponding portion of theshoe bottom and also concave laterally of the shoe in that location, applying rolling pressure to said form to level the forepart and shank'portions of the sole, and in the course of the leveling operation relatively moving the form and shoe in directions lengthwise of the shoeto shape the extreme toe end portion of the sole and to press the downwardly sloping portionof the shoe bottom lust rearwardly of the ball line firmly against the last.

6. That improvement in methods of shaping or leveling the bottoms of shoes which consists in applying over the bottom of a shoe a form of rigid'material arranged to extend along the forepart and shank portions of the shoe bottom, said form having a sole-pressing face curved lengthwise and laterally of the shoe in such manner as to cause it when tipped to act on different portions of the forepart and shank in succession, and by the action of a rollon said form tipping it lengthwise and laterally of the shoe to level the forepart and shank portions of the sole.

'7. That improvement in methods of shaping or leveling the bottoms of shoes which consists in applying loosely over the bottom of a shoe a form of substantially rigid material arranged to extend along the forepart and. shank portions of the shoe bottom, engaging said form with a roll extending across the shoe bottom, and by relative movement of said roll and shoe applying pressure progressively to the shoe through the form.

8. That improvement in methods of shaping or leveling .the bottoms of shoes which consists in applying loosely over the bottom of a shoe a form of substantially rigid material arranged to extend along the forepart and shank portions of the shoe bottom, engaging said'form with-a roll extending across the shoe bottom, and applying pressure progressively to the shoe through the shoe and the roll lengthwise of the shoe and'by tipping the roll laterally of the shoe.

9. That improvement in methods of shaping or leveling the bottoms of shoes which consists in applying loosely over the bottom of a shoe a form of substantially rigid material arranged to extend along the forepart and shank portions of the shoe bottom and curved heightwise of the shoe rearwardly of the ball line, engaging said form with a roll extending across the shoe bottom, applying pressure progressively to the shoe through the form by relative movement of the shoeand the roll lengthwise of the shoe, and in the pressure-applying operation effecting a relative movement of the shoeand the form lengthwise of the shoe in response togactionof the roll on said curved portion of the tomato press the curved portion of the shoe bottom rearwardly of the ball line.

10. A machine for shaping the bottoms of shoes having, in combination, a shoe support and a leveling roll relatively movable to level the forepart and shank of the sole of a shoe on said support, and a rigid form arranged to be interposedbetween said roll and the shoe bottom and so shapedas to transmit the pressure of the roll progressively to different portions of the forepart and shank of the shoe sole successively in response to the relative movement of the support and said roll.,

11. A machine for shaping or leveling the bottoms of shoes having, in combination, a shoe support, a leveling roll for applying pressure progressively to the bottom of a shoe on said support in response to movement of the support relatively to said roll, and a form mounted on said support for transmitting the pressure of thelroll to the shoe, said form being so shaped lengthwise and laterally of the shoe differently from the sole as to press at any one time on a portion only of the shoe bottom but arranged to be tipped relatively to the shoe .to apply its pressure to different portions of the shoe bottom successively in response to the action of the roll thereon.

12. In a machinelfor shaping orleveling the bottoms of shoes, the combination with a shoe support andaleveli-ng roll relatively movable for pressing thebottom of a shoe on said support, of a form for transmitting. thepressure of, the roll to theshoegjsaid form having a sole-pressing face convexlengthwise and laterally ,of the shoe and being movable relatively to the shoe to apply its pressure to different portions of the bottom of the shoe successively through said convex face inresponse to the action of the roll thereon.

1,3. In ,amachine for shaping or leveling the bottoms .Ofshoes, .the combination with a shoe support and a levelling roll relatively movable in directions lengthwise of ,a shoe on said support, of a form for transmitting the pressure of the roll to the forepart and shank portions of the bottom of the shoe, said form having a solepressing face convex lengthwise of the shoe opposite the forepart and shank portions of the shoe bottom with the portion ofsaid face opposite the shank portion of the 'shoe'bottom of greater curvature lengthwise of the shoe than the corresponding portion of the sole to permit rocking movement of the form. relatively to the: shoe in engagement with the shank portion .as well as the forepart, the form being thus movable relatively to the shoe toapply its pressure to different portions of the sole along the forepart and shank successively in response to the action of the roll thereon.

14; In a machine for shaping or leveling the bottoms of shoes, the combination with a shoe support and a leveling roll relatively movable in directions lengthwise of a shoe on said support,

,of a form for transmitting the pressure of the roll to the shoe, said form having a sole-pressing face convex lengthwise and laterally of the shoe opposite the bottom of the forepart with portions of said face concave in locations opposite the margin of the forepart of the sole, and the form being so controlled as to permit it to tip lengthwise and laterally of the shoe to apply its pressure to different portions of the sole successively in response to the action of the roll thereon.

15. In a machine for shaping or leveling the bottoms bf shoes, the combination with a "shoe support and a leveling roll relatively movable for -pressing face convex lengthwise and laterally of the shoe opposite the bottom of the forepart and of greater curvature lengthwise of the shoe opposite the shank portion of the shoe bottom than the correspondingrportion of the sole and also concave laterally of the shoein that location, and the form being so controlled as to permit it to tip lengthwise and laterally of the shoe'to apply its pressure to different portions of the bottom of the shoe successively: in response to the action of the roll thereon.

16. A machine for shaping or leveling the bottoms of shoes having, in combination, a shoe support, a form carried by said support and adapted substantially to cover the bottom of a shoe on said support, and a leveling roll extending widthwise of the shoe and movable relatively to the shoe into engagement with said form for applying pressure progressively to the bottom of the shoe through said form in response to movement of the support and form in directions lengthwise of the shoe, said form having a sole-pressing face,

convexlengthwise of the shoe opposite the forepart and shank portions of the shoe bottom with the portion of saidface opposite theshank portion of the shoe bottom of greater curvature lengthwise of the shoe than the corresponding portion of the sole to permit rocking movement of the form relatively to the shoe to apply the pressureof the roll progressively to different portions of the forepart and shank successively in response to the action of the roll thereon.

' 17. In a machine for leveling the bottoms of shoes, the combination with a shoe support and a leveling roll relatively movable a plurality of times in opposite directions successively in such relation as to cause the roll to apply pressure progressively first along one side and then along the opposite side of the bottom of a shoe on said support, of a form arranged to be interposed between the roll and the bottom of the shoe for transmitting the pressure of the roll to the sole, said form being so shaped as to apply the pressure of the roll progressively to different portions of the sole successively and being mounted independently of the roll for movement relatively to the shoe'about an axis extending lengthwise of the shoe to thus apply the pressure of the roll along the opposite sides of the shoe bottom.

s 18. In a machine forleveling the bottoms of shoes, the combination with a shoe support and a leveling roll relatively movable to apply pressure progressively to the forepart and shank porrtions of the sole of a shoe on said support, of a' form foritransmitting the pressure of the roll,

to the forepart and shank portions of the bottom of the shoe, said form having a sole-pressing face portions of which are concave in locations opposite the margin of the forepart of the ment on the form substantially at the beginning of the operation of the machine to cause the pressure of the roll to be app-lied through the form to the extreme toe end of the sole substantially at the beginning of the operation.

19. In a machine for levelingthe bottoms oi shoes, the combination with a shoe support and a leveling roll relatively movable in directions lengthwise of a shoe to apply pressure progressively to the forepart and shank portions of the sole of a shoe on said support, of a metal form arranged to be interposed between the roll and the bottom of the shoe for transmitting the pressure of the roll to the sole, said form extending from the toe to the heel end of the shoe and being convexly curved lengthwise of the shoe opposite the shank portion of the shoe and having a sole-pressing -faceshaped to bend the margin of the sole at the toeend toward the shoe upper, the form and shoe being relatively movable in directions lengthwise of the shoe to shape the extreme toe end of the sole in response to en gagementoi the roll with an abutment on the form and to press'the shank portion of the shoe bottom 'pjust rearwardly of, the ball line firmly against the last by the, action of the roll on the curved shank portion of the form. r

20. In amac hine for shaping or leveling the bottoms of shoes, the combination with a shoe support and a leveling roll relatively movable for pressing the bottom of a shoe on said support, of a form arranged to extend along the forepart and shank portions of the; shoe bottom fortransmitting the pressure of, the roll to the sole, and

for transmitting the pressure of the roll to the shoe sole, saidform' being mounted for swinging movements relatively to the roll into and out of operative position over the bottom of the shoe about an axis extendinglaterally of the shoe and alsofor bodilymovements lengthwise of the 7' 'shoe' and for tipping movements laterally of the shoe about an axis extending lengthwise of the shoe. s l

22. In a leveling machine, the combination with a'leveling roll, a shoe support comprising a toe post, a heel post, and means for adjusting the heel post toward or from the toe post to position corresponding portions of shoes of different sizes in substantially the same relationto said leveling roll, of a form mounted on said support for movements into and out of position over the bottom of the shoe for transmitting the pressure of the roll to the shoe sole, and'c'onnections for efiecting'a simultaneous adjustment of said form lengthwise of the shoe inthe same direction as the heel post. V ,23. In a leveling machine the combination with a leveling roll, a shoesupport comprising a toe post, a heel post, and means for adjusting the heel post toward or from the toe post to posi tion corresponding portions of shoes'of different lengths in substantially the same, relation to said leveling roll, of a form arranged to be interposed between the roll and the bottom of the shoe for transmitting the pressure of the roll to the shoe sole, and connections for effecting a simultaneous adjusting movement of said form lengthwise of the shoe in the same direction as the heel post but of less extent than the adjustment of the heel post.

24. In a leveling machine, the combination with a leveling roll, a shoe support comprising a toe post, a heel post, and means for adjusting the heel post toward or from the toe post to position the toe ends of shoes of different sizes in substantially the same relation to said roll, of a form pivotally connected to said support for swinging movements into and. out of operative position over the bottom of a shoe on said support for transmitting the pressure of the roll to the shoe sole, and connections for imparting to said form an adjusting movement lengthwise of the shoe in the same direction as said heel post but of automatically determined less extent than the movement of said heel post.

25. In a leveling machine, the combination with a leveling roll, a shoe support comprising a toe post, a heel post, and means for adjusting the heel post toward or from the toe post to position the toe ends of shoes of difierent lengths in substantially the same relation to said leveling roll, of a form mounted on the shoe support and arranged to be interposed between the roll and the shoe bottom for transmitting the pressure of the roll to the shoe sole, and mechanism for imparting to said form during the adjustment of the heel post an adjustably variable movement of different extent from that of the movement of the heel post.

26. In a machine for leveling the bottoms of shoes, the combination with a shoe support and a leveling roll relatively movable to apply pressure progressively to the forepart and shank portions of the sole of a shoe on said support, of a form mounted independently of the roll for movements into and out of operative position over the bottom of the shoe for transmitting the pressure of the roll successively to difierent portions of the forepart and shank of the shoe sole, and means for positioning the form in predetermined lengthwise relation to the shoe when the form is in position over the shoe bottom.

27. In a machine for leveling the bottoms of shoes, the combination with a shoe support and a leveling roll relatively movable to apply pressure progressively to the forepart and shank portions of the sole of a shoe on said support, of a form mounted on said support for swinging movements into and out of operative position over the bottom of the shoe for transmitting the pressure of the roll to the shoe sole, and means for positioning the form initially in predetermined lengthwise relation to the shoe when the form is in position over the shoe bottom, said means being yieldable to permit relative movement of the form and shoe in directions lengthwise of the shoe by the action of the roll on the form.

28. In a machine for leveling the bottoms of shoes, the combination with a shoe support and a leveling roll relatively movable to apply pressure progressively to the forepart and shank portions of the sole of a shoe on said support, of a metal form for transmitting the pressure of the roll to the forepart and shank portions of the sole, said form extending beyond the heel end of the shoe and being pivotally mounted for swinging movements into and out of operative position over the shoe bottom about an axis extending laterally of the shoe and located beyond the toe end of the shoe, connections permitting adjustment of the form laterally of the shoe at the toe end, and means for locating the form laterally of the shoe at the heel end.

29. A machine for leveling the bottoms of shoes having, in combination, a shoe support and a leveling roll relatively movable to apply pressure progressively to the sole of a shoe on said support, a form for transmitting the pressure of said roll to the sole, said form extending beyond the heel end of the shoe and being mounted on said support for movements into and out of operative position over the bottom of the shoe, and means arranged by engagement withthe shoe and form at the heel end to determine the position of the form laterally of the shoe.

30. A machine for leveling the bottoms of shoes having, in combination, a shoe support and a leveling roll relatively movable to apply pressure progressively to the forepart and shank portions of the sole of a shoe on said support, a rigid metal form for transmitting the pressure of said roll to the forepart and shank portions of the shoe sole, said form extending beyond the heel end of the shoe and being mounted on the support for movements into and out of operative position over the bottom of the shoe, and a device mounted on said support and having a pin-and-slot engagement with said form for determining the position of the form laterally of the shoe by engagement with the shoe at the opposite sides of its heel end.

31. For use in a machine for shaping the bottoms of shoes, a form of rigid material adapted to cover the bottom of the forepart and shank portions of the shoe and convexly curved lengthwise of the shoe opposite the shank portion of the shoe bottom, said form having a sole-pressing face so shaped differently from the contour of the sole opposite the forepart and shank portions of the shoe bottom as to apply rolling pressure to the bottom of the. shoe by tipping movement relatively to the shoe.

32. For use in a machine for shaping the bot- V toms of shoes, a metal form adapted to cover the bottom of the forepart and shank portions of a shoe, said form having a sole-pressing face opposite the forepart of the shoe bottom convexly curved in directions lengthwise and laterally of the shoe and a sole-pressing face opposite the shank portion of the shoe bottom of greater curvature lengthwise of the shoe than the shank portion of the shoe bottom.

33. For use in a machine for shaping the bottoms of shoes, a. form of rigid material adapted to cover the bottom of the forepart and shank portions of a shoe, said form having a sole-pressing face opposite the forepart of the shoe bottom convexly curved in directions lengthwise and laterally of the shoe with portions of said face concave in locations opposite the margin of the forepart of the shoe bottom and a sole-pressing face opposite the shank portion of the shoe bottom of greater curvature lengthwise of the shoe than the shank portion of the shoe bottom.

34. For use in a machine for shaping the bottoms of shoes, a form of rigid material adapted to cover the bottom of the forepart and shank portions of a shoe, said form having a solepressing face convex lengthwise and laterally of the shoe opposite the bottom of the forepart and of greater curvature lengthwise of the shoe opposite the shank portion of the shoe bottom than the corresponding portion of the shoe bottom and also concave laterally of the shoe in that location.

ERASTUS E. WINKLEY.

CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION.

Patent Noa 2,lO1 ,lL 5. January 1;, 1958.

ERASTUS E. WINKLEY.

It is hereby certified that error appears in the printed specification of the above numbered patent requiring correction as follows: Page 1, first column, lines 5'? and 58, for the words "portion which" read portions of which; line 59, for is" read are; page 2, first column, line 65, for "tipped" read tipping; and that the said Letters Patent should be read with these corrections therein that the same may conform to the record of the case in the Patent Office.

Signed and sealed this 15th day of March, A. D. 1958.

Henry Van Arsdale, (Seal) Acting Commissioner of Patents 

